Huu Thinh Poem

Huu Thinh

From The Time Tree

ASKING I ask the earth: How does earth live with earth?
-	We honor each other.
I ask water: How does water live with water?
-	We fill each other up.
I ask the grass: How does grass live with grass?
-	We weave into one another
	creating horizons.

I ask man: How does man live with man?
I ask man: How does man live with man?
I ask man: How does man live with man?

YOU

Someone wishes you dead,
But your breasts become more like precious jade each day.

Someone wishes infirmity upon you,
But your hair is black
And heaven comes down to watch
You wade through the mud
Alone
Shaking out your shirt,
Returning wind to the clouds.

Someone wishes you orphaned,
But you sing among low-flying dragonflies.

“Black clouds have gone to seal heaven’s gates –
Young leaves hoping for someone’s face after rain.”